By Monique Agius
Copyright timesofmalta
Former Steward Malta CEO, Armin Ernst, has pleaded not guilty to a raft of charges in connection with the hospitals’ deal. The 63-year-old German national living in the United States appeared before magistrate Rachel Montebello on Thursday afternoon where he was accused in his personal capacity and as a representative of Steward-related companies of money laundering, conspiracy, bribery, trading in influence, misappropriation, making false declarations to public authorities, among others. Ernst denied the charges. The prosecution had initially filed charges against Ernst, Mark Alfred Lisher, Elaine Bridge, Steward Malta Ltd, Steward Malta Management Ltd, Steward Malta Personnel Limited, Steward Malta Assets Ltd, and Steward Health Care International Ltd. The man had already missed his day in court in November 2024, after he was briefly detained in the United States. Defence lawyer Matthew Xuereb informed the court that Ernst was appearing in his own personal capacity and not on behalf of the companies. He explained that while in the past his client held a directorship role in the companies, Ernst was no longer the legal representative of Steward Health Care and there was an agreement to that effect. It also emerged that the companies had not been served. Prosecutor Shelby Aquilina requested that Ernst is tried separately from his co-accused and informed the court that the relevant chargesheet had been prepared in English. The court upheld the request. After corrections to the original chargesheet were carried out and the charges were presented in English, the arraignment got underway. Xuereb then asked for the court to record in the acts of the case that Ernst was not given any disclosure and anything they know about the case was from the public domain. Aquilina remarked that this stage of the proceedings was a form of disclosure. Police inspector Wayne Rodney Borg then took the stand and explained that he was asked to assist inquiring magistrate Gabriella Vella after his predecessor, inspector Anthony Scerri retired. “There was no parallel investigation by the police. The inquiry was based on application by third parties, Repubblika. Ernst was among several people who were indicated as having a case to answer,” Borg said. The police inspector said that Ernst had several roles in Vitals Global Health and the Steward Health Care companies which are mentioned in the inquiry. He added that the local police prepared an arrest warrant, a European Arrest Warrant and an International Arrest Warrant. Borg also confirmed that Ernst was never brought in for questioning. The defence cross examined the witness asking why the police did not get involved. “It was not the police that requested the inquiry but a third party. We were ultimately a third party in this inquiry,” the witness replied. Lawyer José Herrera asked the witness whether the police felt they should have investigated further to which Borg replied that the charges were issued against the individuals specifically indicated in the inquiry. He confirmed that there were other investigations being carried out on the basis of certain conclusions with regards to others who have not yet been arraigned. Xuereb asked whether the inquiring magistrate sent for Ernst and whether his client was given the opportunity to explain himself. “I don’t know,” Borg said, reiterating that the accused was never questioned by the police. The court remarked that the police have a duty to continue investigating and gathering evidence even after a person is arraigned. The prosecution then requested a €20 million freezing and seizing order. The defence objected arguing that Ernst had only received his salary. The court upheld the request. The court also imposed a €70,000 security on Ernst where he bound himself to appear before the court and to refrain from publishing anything in relation to the proceedings. The case continues next month. Magistrate Rachel Montebello presided over the case. AG lawyers Shelby Aquilina and Rebekah Gatt prosecuted assisted by police superintendent Hubert Cini and police inspector Wayne Rodney Borg. Lawyers José Herrera and Matthew Xuereb appeared for Ernst.
